Sunday, February 21, 2010

Quick Update on some Fast Sailing

Lots of nice, fast sailing over the last few days. Now only 250nm until we pass under the Cape of Good Hope!

Ella's Pink Lady has been surfing off down the waves, keeping up a great pace in 25 knots of wind. Despite the wet drizzly conditions (see pics below), I've been spending a lot of time on deck watching us fly along.
I decided to give Parker a bit of time off yesterday and spent quite a bit of time hand steering which I really enjoyed. I still get a kick out of feeling us take off down a wave and I don't think watching the waves and birds will ever get boring!
Jesse

Pic 1: Little patches of blue sky as Ella's Pink Lady hurries along down wind.


Pic 2: Another grey day down in the 40's

223 comments:

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Bruce de Mich said...

Jessica, be sure to cull those banana chips well. Don't eat any of them that contain even the most vague image of You, EPL or the Scallywags. They will earn a premium on eBay for sure!!

@WorderBev.. just read your inspiring outing of your situation! All of it rings true, both as a former victim and clinician as well. Jessica and her authentic attention to her environment and those in it have been a therapeutic tonic for many of us. I am just an old dude now but this blog and bloggers have been a rejuvenating force for me as well. Glad you are back...

Thank you one and all...

Bruce de Mich

PS: My verification phrase is 'bidsessi'! You gotta get those chips on to eBay, Jesse!

Transplanted ''Aussie'' said...

Hi,Jessica;
SURFS UP ON THE ''PINK LADY'';
Great to hear you are sailing along at a good speed,''Good Hope'' will soon be in your sights.
Must have been nice to take over the ''helm'',give ''Parker'' some rest,not too much,don't want him to get rusty...
Your pictures where terrific,another addition to my homemade album I have been gathering[watching Olympic Hockey as I post],please excuse me if I get side tracked.
''Richie'',what did you have for breakfast...,gave Victor an ear full,so much for ''chatting'',but you did make some very good points.You are so right,there is no comparison between a ''DREAM COME TRUE''vs a ''SPORT''.Jessica is on a journey of her dreams.
''Sam'',sent you an email,did you receive it?????
''Workerbev'',WELCOME BACK,WE ALL MISSED YOU,STAY STRONG,your words speak allot about your character,you have people here who CARE FOR YOU.
Jessica,continue to sail down the waves,remember ''Pink Lady'' is not a ''boogie board'',reminds me of the day's I lived in Honolulu,Hawaii,when I left Sydney in the late seventies.
What have you been listening too lately???
Keep up your momentum,stay warm,we all cherish you and support you as all way's.
Godspeed,hugs.love to you and crews.
''McGraths'',how is the ''flag'' coming along???
Bye for now,
Stephen M.,
Transplanted ''Aussie'',
Maryland,USA.,

Anonymous said...

Hello Captain Jessica...

The pictures are great...keep them coming...It must be a great feeling to manually sail EPL...

Stay safe and enjoy the ride...
Be alert and watch out for those
BIG boats...

Good luck...and safe sailing

Joe Springfield VA USA

David said...

Hi, Jess, you have been the highlight of the last 4 months for me. I do not miss a day without looking at your blog and the Voyage to see where you are. Master sailer and Tough Cookie you truly are. Continue to stay safe.

David Indiana your adopted parent

Ernest From NH (USA) said...

Hi Captain Jesse, Nice of you to
give Parker a little
time off. He certainly deserves it.
Cape of Good Hope here we come.
Very Exciting! Very Cool! Blast Linkin
Parks "What I've Done" Be Safe! Stay Happy!
Sing Louder! Godspeed!

Berlin Red said...

Hey Jess,

I took the family to the Gold Coast yesterday,perfect weather perfect waves. My son and his girfriend went surfing but not quite like you are surfing,stay safe,stay clicked on. Loving your blog. So Far i have read it whilst in Berlin,London,Dubai and Sinapore and show it to everyone who will listen and some that won't.Thinking of you and your adventure

Stay Safe

Berlin Red

Susan said...

I always love seeing the photos of the ocean... the waves, the colors, and the sky. I can only imagine it in person. It's the simplest things that can give us the deepest joy.

I found this site from another solo, unassisted circumnavigator, Tony Gooch, 63 yrs in 2003, should anyone be interested. He has some nice photos along with his recap.
http://members.shaw.ca/tonygooch/solonsoccatricle.pdf

@Steve in California: That's so cute!

@Colette Cole, Australia: I really like what you write.

@ Workerbev: It takes courage to share your journey with depression. Kudos to you, and I'm glad you're back. Congratulations on the progress you're making. Studies show exercise is so important for those endorphins, the happy hormones. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, so hang in there.

@Song Riter: I think she has to pass all the southern capes.

Soon, we all get to celebrate with you as you leave South Africa in your wake :)

Blessings and safe sailing,
Susan in Oregon

Astroglide_Australia said...

Well done Jessica

Surf home

Bruce from Brisvegas said...

Hi Jess

Thanks for the pics. It is always great to see how it is in your part of the world. I am so glad that you are going faster because I know how happy that makes you. And it sounds like you are having so much fun! Yeehah, ride that swell!

Sail safe, sail fast.

-Bruce

Anonymous said...

@workerbev glad you're back.....we've been worried about you
@ jony the pony get back.......Jesse needs you

Kees, Doetinchem, the Netherlands

Molly said...

Whee!
Look at our Sailor Girlie go!
See, I told you.
Those "down days" get made up for with these "whisking along days".
It's all about balance.
Your pictures are amazing.
While they are still shots, they still convey so much movement.
Another milestone in the next few days...HOORAY FOR YOU!
God bless, our Jess,

Molly
Maryland USA

Dusty from Dubbo said...

Good Morning Jesse.

Great pics. I love to sit on the headland at Lennox Head and watch waves..no you never get sick of it.
Back in the 40's. The positives... are moving along well, getting closer to Africa, EPL is shipshape and surfing. The negatives cold conditions..so please keep eating well...brain food and sleep well...I know some other bloggers will get on my case for repeating myself and on stuff you have written but as you know I have a true professional concern. So go go go go go go go go Jess you great positive role model for so many

Sea ya Cheers

Dusty from Dubbo

Faye and Max said...

@ Grant, Well done in advance, please keep them coming

@ WorkerBev, welcome back dear girl and keep that positive attitude, you know how much you have been missed !!

@ Salty Dog, very well said.

@ RichieParis, Thanks for Chapter 9 please keep them coming also.

@ Samurai, just loved “Desiderata” and nothing but positive comments from the bloggers.

And to Jesse, we are getting very excited about CoGH, because after that it's full speed back to Aus

Stay safe Jesse dear and Go-Girl-Go

Love from Faye and Max (Mulgrave Vic)

Annie said...

Welcome back WorkerBev!!

It is really wonderful to have you back, you are a very, very courageous woman and you have that same "can do" attitude that Jesse has only sometimes that black cloud obscures it but underneath it is still there and plainly obvious to all your fellow bloggers.

Will stay in touch,
Bluefin Annie, Buderim, Queensland.

john naughton said...

HI Jesse

@Mark Thank you so much for yesterdays Google Earth link. I had almost given up on ever finding Jesse's Lat & Long!
For anyone else having the same problem download the same file, and after opening Jesse's homepage, run the file and hey bingo, works a treat!
John N

sails said...

Today's Inspirational Quote:

"We are not in a position in which we have nothing to work
with. We already have capacities, talents, direction,
missions, callings."

-- Abraham Maslow

Unknown said...

Sounds fun Jess. Keep on keeping on. Love from Grandma Viv Auckland N.Z.

Annie said...

Grant another wonderful song, I love your graphics and how you put the whole thing together.

RichieParis Chapter 9 - Loved it, for a minute there I thought you were going to say that the rather plump crew had been secretly chewing away on Pringles for the last 4 months! but your story was far more intriging.

Sally in Melbourne - That sailing boat having a ball is great.

Loved all the comments,
Cheers,
Bluefin Annie, Buderim, Queensland.

nutralady2001 said...

@ workerbev,

You aren't alone. I too battle the "black dog" have been where you were, won't go into details but some days have been pretty grim BUT I have a loving family,good doctors, good friends including those here and elsewhere in cyberspace. I'm on the winning team. :)))

samurai said...

SaltyDog to WorkerBev...DITTO!

Welcome back Beverly, this is for you with love and very best wishes.

Winter ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Spring ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Summer ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ or Fall ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ All you ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ have to do ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ is blog ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ and we’ll ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ be there ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ You’ve ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ got ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ friends... ♥ ♥ ♥ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Hey now ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ all you ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ have to do ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ is blog ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ and we’ll ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ be there ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ Yeah ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ You’ve got ♪ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪ friends... ♥ ♥ ♥ ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ ♪

Kind regards to everyone, have a great day.

Sam XX :-))

Sven said...

Jessica,

looks like you're gonna have a smooth ride round the Cape.

@Workerbev: Beverly: missed you - good you're back! And just in case you are at the end of the tunnel without a light, let us know, we'll hand a lighter over to you.

@Richie: Your reply to Victor: As I'm one of the "likeminded" I'm fully supporting what you've written.

@Toni McLean Feb 21 12:22 PM:
and Richie Feb 13 07:31 AM:
I would also like to stay in touch with 'the family' but I think we should make plans and a decision only after we know how Jesse is gonna handle this blog (her virtual living room) after she'll be back home.

@Jony: There is French trimaran flying over the SIO, mostly with abt. 35 knots. These crazy guys are after the Jule Verne trophy and posted a video showing your preferred friends:
http://www.cammas-groupama.com/do/mediatheque?type=V&sscat=220&media=3857&lang=en
Enjoy and keep up them albertos!

@Susan in Oregon: Bernd Lüchtenborg is on the way home, now on 15 deg. South. Did you follow his complete journey? (And, btw, do you speak German???)

Jesse, have you already noticed the influence of any currents?

Enjoy in 'good hope', nightynight,

Sven, Hamburg

Susiangelgirl said...

Wow it's amazing to watch your progress on the map, you've sailed so far and are nearly on the home stretch. I hope the weather holds up for you and that's its plain sailing until you return safely home.

Great work Jessie, you are a wonderful example to the youth of Australia and the rest of the world for that matter.

Love the photos!

Anonymous said...

AnotherMother
Your progress is very thrilling Jessica. I get very seasick so am hanging on tight throughout your journey!
Along with 'urgentcamel 1953' I'd love video for 20 secs to get the experience you are having on board EPL.
Yay, Hi and hello workerbev. So glad you have bobbed up again.

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